by
Almog Ramrajkar
| Apr 20, 2023
Taking care of your car and ensuring it runs well takes work, but you don't have to be a technical genius to keep it in good shape. The hardest part of car servicing is knowing what to do and how often. By learning the basics regarding what your car demands and how frequently you should do regular maintenance, you can ensure your vehicle is running at its best.
As an added advantage, if you can show that your car has been well cared for, you'll get the most money when it's time to sell it. And, of course, it's essential to know that the costs of maintaining the car aren't always cheap, but they can save you money in the long run by keeping your vehicle in good shape.
The following is a car service checklist that requires your attention at different times of the year. You must check several of these factors often. It is important to follow your car maintenance plan and service period record.
Inspect the fluids
After servicing, one of the most crucial checks is ensuring that all fluids are at optimal levels and free from contamination.
Engine Oil
Engine oil keeps the parts inside and around the engine from rubbing against each other and wearing out too quickly. It also stops energy loss and cleans the engine to prevent rust. Check your car’s manual to determine when it’s time to change the oil in your engine.
Coolant
The coolant helps keep the engine at the right temperature and from getting too hot. It is also known as “antifreeze” because most coolants don’t freeze when the temperature drops below 0°C. Due to this, it’s vital to ensure that the radiator or tank is full. If there’s not sufficient liquid, pour more to fill the tube. It’s best to have an expert examine and drain the coolant since it’s hazardous, pollutes the environment, and can cause skin irritation. According to how frequently you drive your car, you should change the oil about every 50,000 kilometres, every 2 to 4 years, or every 2 to 5 years. Every year, you must check the coolant amount.
Brake Fluid
This fluid ensures smooth and responsive braking. Low or dirty brake fluid can reduce braking power. To check the brake fluid level, ensure the reservoir is accessible and verify that the fluid is clean and clear.
Transmission Fluid
This enables smooth gear shifting in automatic cars. Use the dipstick to check the fluid level, ensuring it is at the recommended level. Clean transmission fluid typically has a bright red colour. A burnt smell or dark fluid may indicate replacement.
Windshield Washer Fluid
This helps in maintaining clear visibility of the windshields and is an important part of vehicle safety, especially during long drives. Ensure the reservoir is full and test the spray function. Dirty windshields can obstruct vision, especially during bad weather conditions.
Tyre condition and pressure
The roadways you frequently travel on can be harsh, patchy, and occasionally almost worn out. This makes routine wheel maintenance crucial because the portion of a car that suffers the most from bad roads is its tyres and the wheel rims. These are the primary car parts in actual proximity to the ground below.
Tread Wear
This ensures road grip and stability. Make sure to get the tread depth inspected using a gauge or coin. Balding tyres reduce traction, which increases the risk of skidding, especially in wet conditions. Change the tyres or follow a schedule to ensure your car is not running on unsafe tyres.
Pressure
Tyre pressure affects fuel efficiency and handling. During car servicing, a pressure gauge is used to check if it meets manufacturer recommendations. Inaccurate pressure can lead to uneven wear and reduced mileage, so tyre pressure is a key marker during vehicle checkups.
Rotation and Balance
Suppose your vehicle is overdue for a wheel rotation or alignment, you should expect the wheels to be changed, even though there is a remote possibility of this occurring. However, if your vehicle is brand new, you should avoid purchasing used tires. Every six months, or if your vehicle has travelled 8000–10,000 km, you must opt for routine wheel balancing performed locally. Thus, there will be less strain on sensitive auto components and less wear and tear overall. Additionally, this translates into fewer trips for car repairs and smoother, secure drives with increased savings. These are a few things to check after car service.
Brakes
Brakes are essential for safety, regulating the speed and helping the driver cruise through uneven roads easily. Any malfunction can compromise stopping power, increasing accident risks.
Pads and Rotors
These are important components of the vehicle mechanism as they provide braking force and prevent metal-on-metal contact. Worn-out pads cause squealing noises and poor braking performance, so checking for sufficient pad thickness and smooth rotors is important.
Brake Function
The smoothness of brake functioning determines the stopping efficiency of a vehicle. Spongy brakes or strange noises may indicate air in the lines or worn components. Press the brake pedal to check for firmness and responsiveness to ensure the brakes are properly serviced.
Battery health
A faulty battery can result in you being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Ensuring it’s in good condition prevents unexpected breakdowns and saves time and money.
Charge Level
Battery charge levels power the ignition system. A battery should have a charge of around 12.6V when idle. Service centres usually test this during the full vehicle checkup. However, you should request a report to confirm its health.
Connections
Unbroken wiring is important to ensure proper electrical flow in the battery. A poorly connected battery can cause starting issues or electrical malfunctions. Check for corrosion on terminals and tighten loose connections.
Lights and indicators
Vehicle lights ensure visibility and communication with other drivers. A malfunction can lead to accidents or fines.
Functionality
The proper function of vehicle lights includes headlights, brake lights, and turn signals, all in top-notch condition. Turn them all on to check if they are working properly. Replace any dim or flickering bulbs immediately.
Alignment
Poorly aligned headlights affect night driving visibility. Misalignment of vehicle indicators can either blind oncoming traffic or reduce visibility. Ensure the car headlights are properly aligned to illuminate the road evenly.
Air filters
The air filter regulates the air movement into your engine; this also helps keep debris and particulate matter out of the engine. You can get better mileage from your automobile by reducing fuel consumption. This, in turn, reduces the amount of pollutants released by your vehicle. If you ensure that the air filter is working properly, you can extend the life of your engine and make it last as many years as possible.
Engine Air Filter
When the engine filter is clean, your vehicle's acceleration will remain consistent and perform at its best. If you want your engine to last a long time and be reliable, you should check the air filter monthly. Every 15,000 miles, you should replace your vehicle's air filters. Experts strongly recommend that you only replace them at intervals of more than 50,000 miles. Most automotive specialists agree that replacing your car's air filter every fifteen thousand miles is necessary for regions with high levels of dust and pollution.
Cabin Air Filter
Changing the cabin's air filter and the engine will help your vehicle operate more efficiently. When the air filter in your vehicle is clean, the air conditioner can operate more effectively.
Documentation and service report
When you take your car to an authorised service centre for vehicle maintenance, you will receive a hard copy of the job card. When you hand the car to the service centre, you usually get the green-coloured customer copy. This is made of thin paper, while the company keeps a blue job card with a thicker piece of paper that is an exact duplicate of the customer’s green copy.
You can also write down any dents or scratches on the inventory check sheet on your car. Before you get the customer copy, the service centre agent writes down whether or not there is a stepladder, jack, toolkit, etc. The most vital part, getting the job done, comes next. It is either typed or written by hand.
Service Checklist
The Service Advisor must write down all of the customer's complaints and needs on the job card since the same card goes to the shop floor. The job card travels across various sections of the workshop and ensures that all the points noted are covered. After the servicing, you receive the complete checklist confirming whether all tasks highlighted in the job card were performed. Go through the report carefully and discuss any discrepancies with the service provider.
Warranty and Recommendations
Covers replaced parts and additional suggestions. Ensure warranty details are recorded and follow recommended maintenance tips for optimal vehicle performance.
Additional tips
After servicing the vehicle, you will receive a statement broken down into its components. Check to see if it provides the value the customer service representative anticipated it would have for you, and make it a point to ensure it does. Additionally, follow these steps-
- Always keep a vigilant eye out and ensure you are not charged extra for any service rendered, such as topping off the engine oil if it is required. It is in your best interest to maintain vigilance and check whether there has been an error.
- Verify the accuracy of every labour and replacement part cost before you make the payment. You should negotiate with the service centre agent if necessary and make use of a service voucher if you have one.
- Take your car for a short drive to check for unusual noises, vibrations, or performance issues.
- Before leaving the service centre, inspect your car’s exterior and interior for accidental damage.
- Ensure the spare tyre is in proper condition and has perfect air pressure.
- A well-maintained car can sometimes qualify for better coverage or lower premiums, whether you have comprehensive or third-party car insurance.
FAQs
- Why is it important to check my car after servicing?
It makes sure that all maintenance tasks are completed properly, preventing performance issues and safety risks.
- How often should I check my car’s fluids?
Check fluids every few weeks and after every service to ensure they are at proper levels.
- What should I do if my brakes feel off after servicing?
If you notice spongy, unresponsive, or noisy brakes, get them checked immediately at the service centre.
- Can I claim insurance if my car is damaged during servicing?
If damage occurs at the service centre, they may cover it. Otherwise, your car insurance policy may help with major damages.
- How does regular maintenance affect car insurance?
A well-maintained car reduces breakdowns and claims, possibly leading to better insurance rates, whether you have third-party car insurance or comprehensive coverage.
Conclusion
As a customer, you must actively ensure that everything gets arranged in the way that makes the most sense. So, a part of the comprehensive Pre-Delivery Inspection checklist that you should comply with to check whether the PDI on your vehicle gets executed diligently includes the car’s invoice. This contains details connecting to the car’s model and sub-variant and the receipts, such as payments done for the car, accessories, RTO, taxes, etc. Also, a significant part of taking care of your includes having a comprehensive car insurance policy that takes care of any untimely needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.